TresSugar

Self-Help: De-Stress at Work

DearSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Work can totally stress a person out because of a whole combination of things - deadlines, annoying distractions, noise, skipped or unhealthy meals, orders from the boss, time constraints, and the commute.

Here are some tips to help your work day run a little more smoothly:

Organize your workspace - Sometimes de-cluttering your desk is a way to de-clutter your mind. Make sure all your stuff has a special "home" on your desk. Pick up some cute storage containers to put things in. It won't take long to tidy up your space, and it can make a world of difference. Plus knowing where everything is will save you time.
Organize your day - Make a to-do list of all the things you want to get done and how long you think each task will take -- I guarantee this list will help you feel less overwhelmed.
Jot down ideas - It's important to start a project and finish it, so if you get another idea for something else while working on a project, write it in a notebook or on a post-it note so you don't lose your train of thought.

To hear more helpful hints, read more

Listen to relaxing music - Calming tunes can ease your mood and make you happy, which will make you more productive at work. When you're more productive, you get your work done and feel less stressed. Headphones in your ears can also tune out annoying distractions like chatty co-workers and other office noise.
Make sure you eat! - Forgetting to eat breakfast or lunch is just going to put you in a cranky and irritable mood. Plus you won't have the energy or brain power to get your work done. Plan ahead and pack yourself a lunch so it'll be ready for you the next day. Also keep a stock of healthy snacks at work just in case you need a little pick-me-up. Keeping healthy options near by will prevent the temptation to reach for a Snickers bar out of the vending machine.
Don't take on TOO much - If your boss asks you to take on another project and you're already bogged down with an avalanche of work, don't try to be Super Woman. Doing a normal amount of work brilliantly will impress your boss more than doing a ton of mediocre work.
Take a break - Make sure that at least once during your day you take some time for yourself. You don't have to eat lunch during that time (since you most likely eat at your desk anyway), but you can make a phone call to a friend, take a walk, do an errand, grab a cup of tea, read in the break room, do some online shopping - whatever will stop you from working for at least 20-30 minutes.

Got any other suggestions? Share your ideas below.

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Relaxing Music to Melt Away a Stressful Day

DearSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

When 5:30 rolls around, and I've had majorly stressful day at work, I want nothing more than to leave work, forget about my frustrations and unwind.

People de-stress in different ways depending on their mood. Sometimes I love going for a run by myself, meeting a friend for a drink, or slipping into a hot bubble bath. Sometimes I'd rather get a massage, write in my journal, or call my mom to vent.

Then other times I crave the peaceful tranquility of my home. I can be all alone, turn on some relaxing music, make myself a nice dinner, and soak in the serenity. Here are some of my favorite CDs. Be sure to share your favorite relaxing music in the comments below.

Kerala Dream	Above the Sound of Gravity
Yoga Lounge	Soulweaver
Rhythms of Peace	Etherea

Stressed at Work? Get Organized

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

When it comes to your job, deadlines, annoying co-workers, and barking bosses can make us totally tense. Did you know that a cluttered workspace could also add to your stress levels? If your desk is a total mess, not only is it difficult to find what you're looking for, but it can make your mind feel totally bombarded.

Tidying up your work space will bring calmness and order to your life, which we can all use. Here are some great desk organizers I found that I wanted to share with you.

Where Do You Stand? Going to Bed at Different Times

DearSugar — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Nighttime is a popular snuggling time for most couples - it's a great way to unwind together and de-stress from your long day at work, but what happens when one of you wants to hit the hay before the other? Is staggering your bedtimes no big deal to you, or do you have a hard time falling asleep unless you go to bed at the same time? Tell me where you stand in the comments below.

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You Asked: I'm Not a Fan of His Career Choice

DearSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

My boyfriend is about to own a bar, but we have different views about what that entails. He thinks it's just a place to hang out and de-stress, and he is spending a lot of time trying to plan events. I think owning a bar is providing people with alcohol and taking their money without giving them something good in return. We almost broke up over it and he said that he can't be with someone who doesn't support his career. Everything else with us is great except his job situation so we decided to wait and see how things go. Do you have any advice as to where to go from here?

- Bar Blues Betsey

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

Dear Bar Blues Betsey,

Going the entrepreneurial route and opening any business is always a risk. Even if you have a perfectly defined business plan that doesn't mean it's going to work out the way you think it will. And often, the plan has to change along the way. Your boyfriend has a vision for his bar, and I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to make that happen. As far as your differing views about what a bar should be, I think there's a place for both of them.

Obviously to make money, a bar needs to sell drinks, but to get people there and keep them there, it might need a bit more oomph, which is what your boyfriend is looking to achieve. I think the solution is to support his ideas, while also reminding him that a profitable business needs a successful business plan. By telling him you think he's wrong, you're only closing him off from your very legitimate concerns.

As far as your relationship goes, I think there might be more going on here that you guys need to work out. Are you worried that he's going to fail? If so, what does this failure really mean for you and your relationship? I think answering these questions may help you get to the root of your feelings and determine the right way to move forward. I assure you that once the business gets going, things are only going to get more stressful so now is the time to figure out if this is something you can live with or not.

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You Asked: Should I Fight for My Love?

DearSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:31:51 -0700

Dear Sugar--

My boyfriend and I have been going out for more than half a year and
recently we've been arguing over stupid things all the time. He tells me that he thinks that I don't appreciate him as much as I used to in the beginning, and keeps asking me if we should take a break. I'm scared that If we really do end up taking a break that we will end up never getting back together and he might meet someone else which would tear me to pieces. He wants the old feelings to come back (the butterflies in the stomach feelings). We both love each other very much and don't want to hurt the other. He thinks that it's because of the stress from work that is also contributing to the negative emotions going on between us, and I agree. We see each other every week and go on regular dates, but end up getting in some kind of argument over nothing. What do you think is the best solution for this?

--Is it Over Omalee

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Is it Over Omalee--

Since you love each other so much and both want to try and make it work, then I think you should do all you possibly can to make that happen. Taking a break won't really fix your relationship. It'll probably just make you miss each other, and want to get back together. Then when you do, you'll continue bickering and having your little fights. What you need to do is get to the bottom of why you're fighting in the first place.

It doesn't sound like a lack of love between you is the problem here, but rather how you are expressing that love. Since the newness of your relationship has worn off, you've got to work extra hard to keep the passion, respect, and appreciation going. You both must go out of your way to show the other that you care.

You also mentioned that stress from work may be contributing to you not getting along. If that's the case, work on ways to de-stress from your job without letting it affect how you treat each other. Also, be honest and talk about what other factors may be affecting your relationship. As long as you both keep the lines of communication open and are willing to put all your effort to making it work, you absolutely have a fighting chance -- in other words, don't give up on love without putting up a fight. Good luck.

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Dealing With Stress from Traveling

DearSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0800

Many of you will be getting ready to travel this Thanksgiving. While it's great to spend time with your friends and family for a home-cooked meal, getting there can really stress you out. Here are some tips to help you stay calm.

Try to be as prepared as possible. Wash, dry clean, and pack your clothes a couple days before, so you won't be running around trying to find your favorite pair of black pants before you have to make a flight.
Make a list of everything you need and check it off once it's packed so you're not worrying if you forgot something.
Call the airline before you're about to leave to make sure that your flight is on time. You'll be really frustrated if you show up, and your plane isn't leaving for another six hours.
Get to the airport early so you don't have to rush to your gate.
Pack yourself some wholesome snacks so you'll have something healthy to munch on in the car or plane. Skipping meals or eating nutritionally-desolate food while traveling won't doing anything to uplift your mood.

Want to see the rest? Then read more

Whether you're flying or driving, pack a fun book (have you read Eat, Pray, Love yet?). Pack along headphones and an iPod with your favorite relaxing music so you can tune out outside noise.
You can also use the time to sit quietly and meditate.
Exercising always help me de-stress. Pack workout clothes and sneakers so you can hit the gym with a friend or relative. Or pack yourself some great fitness videos and a laptop that plays DVDs.
Talk about your stress level with someone you're traveling with. It'll make you feel better to communicate your feelings. If you're traveling alone, write in your journal.
If you can, get home a day before you have to go back to work, so you can have some time to unwind and relax alone.

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The How-To Lounge: Looking Younger

DearSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Have you noticed a few more lines around your eyes, or have you spotted your first grey hair yet? Well if so, you're not alone. Although there is no real fountain of youth out there, here are some easy, all natural ways to help stay looking as young as possible.

Click here to read more

As good as a suntanned face looks, don't leave home without your SPF, even if it's cloudy outside. To eliminate one step in your getting ready routine, use a moisturizer with SPF 15
If you're a smoker, quit. Cigarette smoke breaks down the collagen in your skin which makes it smooth and can cut the oxygen flow to your skin by up to 30%
Keep an eye on your alcohol intake. Alcohol dehydrates you leaving your skin dry, which can result in wrinkles. Since a glass of wine here and there can keep you healthy, you don't need to quit cold turkey, but be sure to drink plenty of water
Exercise. Working out will send oxygen to the skin which will increase collagen, will help you sweat out your toxins, and will give you a healthy glow
Stick to a healthy, anti-aging diet. Fruits, veggies, whole grains and olive oil and vitamins can help you stay looking young
Stress is a major aging culprit. Not only can it age your cells by 10 years, but it wreaks havoc on your heart and your mind so try to de-stress at work and at home as much as you can
Don't sleep with your make up on. This will also dry out your skin and make it hard for your pores to breathe. The extra 5 minutes will leave your skin thanking you and I guarantee it will have you feeling much better in the morning

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De-Stress With Calming Chamomile

DearSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

After a long or difficult day at work, I like to come home and totally forget about it all. Sometimes that's not easy, and I need a little help de-stressing.

Chamomile always does the trick. Its relaxing properties have been used for hundreds of years. A study conducted in 2005 also shows that drinking chamomile tea can alleviate cold symptoms and menstrual cramps. Drinking the tea also increases levels of glycine. Glycine is an amino acid that's been shown to act as a nerve relaxant, which is why it seems to act as a mild sedative.

There are tons of wonderful products that incorporate the taste and smell of chamomile. Here are some of my favorites.

Moroccan Chamomile Apple Blossom Soy Candle	Organic Chamomile Tea
Aura Cacia Relaxation Bath Salts	Lavender & Chamomile Silky Massage & Bath Oil
Nature's Gate Chamomile Shampoo	Nature's Gate Chamomile Conditioner	French Chamomile with Sweet Orange & Lavender Lotion

This Week With DearSugar

DearSugar — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

E. Jean offers up some advice for a male reader upset with his girlfriend -- Is he in the wrong?
Do Tell, what's the best part about being husband and wife?
Insecure Izzy's boyfriend sure is acting like a creep if you ask me
Who do you tell your secrets to?
If you want to find out what your sleeping habits say about the way you sleep click here
If you need some tips to help de-stress at work, click here
Learn all the facts about Plan B
Is Confused Caroline dumb or just young?
Which Friends character are you most like

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Windsor Unifier Desk Organizer	Morgan Desk Caddy
Desktop Organizer	Cubi Desk Bookcase
Claremont Unifier Desk Organizer	Victorious Station Mail Organizer
Bomber Jacket Leather Desk Organizer	Paper Organizer
Storage Box	Claremont Mail Sorter